			Home About us Contact

Active Epilepsy (active + epilepsy)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	100%

Selected Abstracts

Prevalence of Active Epilepsy and Health-Related Quality of Life among Adults with Self-Reported Epilepsy in California: California Health Interview Survey, 2003

EPILEPSIA, Issue 10 2007
Rosemarie Kobau
Summary:,Purpose: To examine the prevalence of self-reported epilepsy and active epilepsy, associated burden of impaired health-related quality of life, risk factors, and access to care in adults with self-reported epilepsy, and those classified as having active epilepsy with and without recent seizures. Methods: We analyzed data from adults aged ,18 years (n = 41,494) who participated in the 2003 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). Results: In California, 1.2% of adults reported ever being told they had epilepsy or seizure disorder, and 0.7% were classified as having active epilepsy. About three-fourths of adults with active epilepsy with recent seizures reported fair or poor health status. Adults with active epilepsy with recent seizures reported almost two weeks of poor physical or mental health and activity limitation days compared with two to 4 days per month in those without epilepsy. Among adults with active epilepsy and recent seizures, about one-quarter reported not taking any medicine to control their seizure disorder or epilepsy. About one-third reported physical disability/unable to work compared to a small proportion of the general population. The majority of adults with active epilepsy reported having a regular source of medical care. Conclusion: Our findings highlight the burden of epilepsy among adults in California. CHIS serves as a model demonstrating the value of including questions about epilepsy on public health surveillance systems to ascertain the burden of the disorder and to guide intervention research and public policy to improve HRQOL in people with epilepsy. [source]

Participation of children with cerebral palsy is influenced by where they live

DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 5 2004
Donna Hammal MSc
The study aimed to determine whether degree of participation of children with cerebral palsy (CP) is influenced by where they live, as predicted by the social model of disability. Ninety-two per cent children with CP resident in Northern England and born 1991-1996 were entered into the study. Participation was measured by the Lifestyle Assessment Score and its six component domain scores. Regression analysis was used to investigate variations in participation. There were 443 children (265 male, 178 female; mean age 4 years 8 months [SD1 year 1 month] at time of assessment) in the study. In the regression analysis the following factors remained significant with regard to level of participation: type of CP (167 with hemiplegia, and of those remaining 240 with bilateral spasticity); intellectual impairment (105 with IQ<50,113 with IQ 50 to 70, and 225 with IQ>70); presence of seizures (115 with active epilepsy); walking disability (114 unable to walk, 81 restricted and needing aids, 186 restricted but unaided, 62 unrestricted); communication problems (61 no formal communication, 51 use alternative formal methods, 126 some delay or difficulty, 205 no communication problems). After adjustment for these factors, there were significant variations with regard to level of participation in the Lifestyle Assessment Score by district of residence. The magnitude of these variations in Lifestyle Assessment Score between districts is similar to that accounted for by severe intellectual impairment. Similar models were obtained for four of the six domain scores. For one of these four, restriction of social interaction, the significant variation between districts was minimally influenced by the underlying type of CP, walking ability, or presence of seizures. Higher levels of participation among children with CP are associated with residence in certain districts. This is not attributable to variations in case-mix or functional capacity of the children. Participation of children with disability is partly a product of their environment. [source]

Autism spectrum disorders in children with active epilepsy and learning disability: comorbidity, pre- and perinatal background, and seizure characteristics

DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 11 2003
Suzanne Steffenburg MD PhD
The aim of this study was to examine the comorbidity pattern, seizure characteristics, and aetiology in a representative group of children with a combination of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), active epilepsy, and learning disability. Ninety children (47 males, 43 females; mean age 11 years 2 months, range 8 to 16 years at the time of psychiatric examination) with active epilepsy and learning disability, identified in a population-based study in Göteborg, Sweden, were subdivided into those with and those without ASD and compared with respect to aetiology, additional neuroimpairments, and seizure characteristics. In addition, the cohorts were examined for trends of prevalence over a period of time. Results indicated that established aetiology was much more often present in the prenatal period than in the peri- or postnatal periods in the ASD group. Cerebral palsy and visual impairment were under-represented in the ASD group. Partial seizures tended to be more common and generalized seizures less common in the ASD group compared with the non-ASD group. Seizure onset was later in the ASD group. Many of the significant differences were accounted for by a large group of psychiatrically unclassifiable participants in the non-ASD group. There was no trend towards an increase of affected children over the 12-year period. There was no increase in the prevalence of active epilepsy and learning disability nor in the rate of autism with active epilepsy and learning disability in children born between 1981 and 1986 compared with those born from 1976 to 1980, indicating no statistical association with the general measles-mumps-rubella vaccination introduced in the early 1980s. [source]

Health care resource utilization in patients with active epilepsy

EPILEPSIA, Issue 5 2010
Tobias Kurth
Summary Purpose:, To evaluate health care resource utilization (HRU) in active epilepsy. Methods:, Thomson-Reuters insurance databases included 14 million persons in 2005,2007. We extracted information for individuals with insurance claims suggestive of epilepsy. Using iterative expert classification, we sorted patients by type of epilepsy. For each type we calculated prevalence and HRU. A distance analysis identified closely similar types, and a principal components analysis revealed dimensions of variation in HRU. Results:, The prevalence of active epilepsy was 3.4 per 1,000. Most common diagnoses among 46,847 patients were generalized convulsive epilepsy (33.3%) and complex partial seizures (24.8%). Patients averaged 10 physician visits per year, 24 diagnostic tests/procedures per year, >30 drug dispensings per year, and <1 emergency room (ER) visit per year, the minority of each of these being related to epilepsy. Female patients generally had more HRU, and HRU increased with age. Patients were hospitalized most frequently for disorders other than epilepsy. HRU was similar for most epilepsy types, excepting grand mal status, epilepsia partialis continua, and infantile spasms. The first principal components of HRU variation was nonepilepsy HRU, followed by components of epilepsy-related medications, other epilepsy/emergency care, and epilepsy visits/diagnostic procedures. Discussion:, The prevalence of active epilepsy in the United States is substantially less than the prevalence of any history of recurrent seizure. Nonepilepsy-related HRU dominated HRU in epilepsy patients and was the principal source of variation. There is a core set of epilepsy diagnoses, the HRU patterns of which are indistinguishable, whereas patients with grand mal status, epilepsia partialis continua, and infantile spasms all have distinct patterns. To provide more specific insights into the economic impact of the condition, studies of HRU in epilepsy should make a distinction about epilepsy-related and unrelated care. [source]

Estimation of the burden of active and life-time epilepsy: A meta-analytic approach

EPILEPSIA, Issue 5 2010
Anthony K. Ngugi
Summary Purpose:, To estimate the burden of lifetime epilepsy (LTE) and active epilepsy (AE) and examine the influence of study characteristics on prevalence estimates. Methods:, We searched online databases and identified articles using prespecified criteria. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to estimate the median prevalence in developed countries and in urban and rural settings in developing countries. The impact of study characteristics on prevalence estimates was determined using meta-regression models. Results:, The median LTE prevalence for developed countries was 5.8 per 1,000 (5th,95th percentile range 2.7,12.4) compared to 15.4 per 1,000 (4.8,49.6) for rural and 10.3 (2.8,37.7) for urban studies in developing countries. The median prevalence of AE was 4.9 per 1,000 (2.3,10.3) for developed countries and 12.7 per 1,000 (3.5,45.5) and 5.9 (3.4,10.2) in rural and urban studies in developing countries. The estimates of burden for LTE and AE in developed countries were 6.8 million (5th,95th percentile range 3.2,14.7) and 5.7 million (2.7,12.2), respectively. In developing countries these were 45 (14,145) million LTE and 17 (10,133) million AE in rural areas and 17 (5,61) million LTE and 10 (5,17) million AE in urban areas. Studies involving all ages or only adults showed higher estimates than pediatric studies. Higher prevalence estimates were also associated with rural location and small study size. Conclusions:, This study estimates the global burden of epilepsy and the proportions with AE, which may benefit from treatment. There are systematic differences in reported prevalence estimates, which are only partially explained by study characteristics. [source]

Prevalence of epilepsy and seizures in the Navajo Nation 1998,2002

EPILEPSIA, Issue 10 2009
Karen Parko
Summary Purpose:, To determine the prevalence of epilepsy and seizures in the Navajo. Methods:, We studied 226,496 Navajo residing in the Navajo Reservation who had at least one medical encounter between October 1, 1998 and September 30, 2002. We ascertained and confirmed cases in two phases. First, we identified patients with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes signifying epilepsy or seizures using Indian Health Service (IHS) administrative data. Second, we reviewed medical charts of a geographic subpopulation of identified patients to confirm diagnoses and assess the positive predictive value of the ICD-9-CM codes in identifying patients with active epilepsy. Results:, Two percent of Navajo receiving IHS care were found to have an ICD-9-CM code consistent with epilepsy or seizures. Based on confirmed cases, the crude prevalence for the occurrence of any seizure (including febrile seizures and recurrent seizures that may have been provoked) in the geographic subpopulation was 13.5 per 1,000 and the crude prevalence of active epilepsy was 9.2 per 1,000. Prevalence was higher among males, children under 5 years of age, and older adults. Discussion:, The estimated prevalence of active epilepsy in the Navajo Nation is above the upper limit of the range of reported estimates from other comparable studies of U.S. communities. [source]

Prevalence, incidence, and clinical characteristics of epilepsy,A community-based door-to-door study in northern Tanzania

EPILEPSIA, Issue 10 2009
Andrea S. Winkler
Summary Purpose:, The main aim of this door-to-door-study was to determine the prevalence, incidence, and clinical characteristics of epilepsy in northern Tanzania. Methods:, A total of 7,399 people were screened with a standardized questionnaire using "multistage random sampling." Results:, The prevalence rate of epilepsy was 11.2/1,000 [95% confidence interval (CI) 8.9,13.9/1,000] and the age-adjusted prevalence rate was 13.2/1,000. The prevalence of active epilepsy was 8.7/1,000 (95% CI 6.7,11/1,000). There was a preponderance of women. The average retrospective incidence including the last 5 years was 81.1/100,000 (95% CI 65,101/100,000). Fifty-four percent (45 of 83) of the people with epilepsy had generalized seizures without any identifiable cause; 71% (59 of 83) of the epilepsy patients had not visited health institutions prior to the study and 76% (63 of 83) had never received treatment. Discussion:, Our study shows that the prevalence and incidence of epilepsy in northern Tanzania are higher compared to developed countries and that the majority of people with epilepsy do not access treatment. [source]

Prevalence of Active Epilepsy and Health-Related Quality of Life among Adults with Self-Reported Epilepsy in California: California Health Interview Survey, 2003

Prevalence of Childhood Epilepsy and Distribution of Epileptic Syndromes: A Population-based Survey in Okayama, Japan

EPILEPSIA, Issue 3 2006
Eiji Oka
Summary:,Methods: Information on patients younger than 13 years with active epilepsy was collected from medical records. Patients diagnosed with epilepsy according to clinical and EEG findings were put on the list even if those patients had had a single seizure or seizures occurring during febrile episodes. Results: In total, 2,220 cases were identified from a background population of 250,997. The prevalence rate was 8.8 per 1,000. If we exclude patients who had experienced a single seizure or seizures occurring during febrile episodes to compare our results with previous reports, the prevalence rate was 5.3 per 1,000. Of the 2,220 cases, 2,030 (91.4%) were classified into three major categories by ILAE classification. They consisted of 1,556 (76.7%) with localization-related epilepsy, 453 (22.3%) with generalized epilepsy, and 21 (1.0%) with undetermined epilepsy. Of the 2,030 cases, 309 (15.2%) were classified into epileptic syndrome categories, and 84.8% of the total were nonspecific types of epilepsy. Conclusions: The prevalence rate of childhood epilepsy was distributed from 5.3 to 8.8 per 1,000. The appearance rate of various types of epileptic syndromes was low. Most cases could not be classified into the detailed categories of the International Classification (ILAE, 1989). [source]

Community-based, Prospective, Controlled Study of Obstetric and Neonatal Outcome of 179 Pregnancies in Women with Epilepsy

EPILEPSIA, Issue 1 2006
Katriina Viinikainen
Summary:,Purpose: This study evaluated obstetric and neonatal outcome in a community-based cohort of women with active epilepsy (WWAE) compared with the general pregnant population receiving modern obstetric care. Methods: We reviewed the total population who gave birth between January 1989 and October 2000 at Kuopio University Hospital. Obstetric, demographic, and epilepsy data were collected prospectively from 179 singleton pregnancies of women with epilepsy and from 24,778 singleton pregnancies of unaffected controls. The obstetric data from the pregnancy register was supplemented with detailed neurologic data retrieved from the medical records. The data retrieved were comprehensive because of a follow-up strategy according to a predecided protocol. Results: During pregnancy, the seizure frequency was unchanged, or the change was for the better in the majority (83%) of the patients. We found no significant differences between WWAE and controls in the incidence of preeclampsia, preterm labor, or in the rates of caesarean sections, perinatal mortality, or low birth weight. However, the rate of small-for-gestational-age infants was significantly higher, and the head circumference was significantly smaller in WWAE. Apgar score at 1 min was lower in children of WWAE, and the need for care in the neonatal ward and neonatal intensive care were increased as compared with controls. The frequency of major malformations was 4.8% (,0.6,10.2%; 95% confidence interval) in the 127 children of WWAE. Conclusions: Pregnancy course is uncomplicated and neonatal outcome is good in the majority of cases when a predecided protocol is used for the follow-up of WWAE in antenatal and neurologic care. Long-term follow-up of the neurologic and cognitive development of the children of WWAE is still needed. [source]

Epilepsy in Colombia: Epidemiologic Profile and Classification of Epileptic Seizures and Syndromes

EPILEPSIA, Issue 1 2006
Alberto Velez
Summary:,Purpose: A national study was performed in Colombia to determine the general and regional prevalence of epilepsy, clinical profiles, seizure types, and clinical syndromes. Methods: Based on the National Epidemiological Study of Neurological Diseases (EPINEURO), we evaluated and followed up for 1 year all the subjects with epilepsy from the National Sample. Clinical profiles were further assessed. Seizure types and epilepsy syndromes were established according to the international classifications. Results: General prevalence was found to be 11.3 per 1,000, with little variation among regions, except the eastern region, where prevalence was 23 per 1,000; prevalence for active epilepsy was 10.1 per 1,000. Women have a slightly greater (not statistically significant) risk. Most seizures are focal (partial), frequently with secondary generalization. The most frequent epilepsy syndrome encountered was partial symptomatic/cryptogenic (80%). Epilepsy onset in Colombia occurs most frequently in childhood. Conclusions: Prevalence rates of epilepsy in Colombia are similar to those reported in nations with comparable developmental status and have diminished over time. The study presents the distribution of seizures and syndromes. The most frequent types are focal syndromes. [source]

The epidemiology of epilepsy in Europe , a systematic review

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 4 2005
L. Forsgren
Population-based epidemiological studies on epilepsy are available mainly from the UK and the Nordic, Baltic and western Mediterranean countries. No studies were identified from large areas of Europe, especially from the former eastern Europe (except the Baltic countries) and the eastern Mediterranean countries. Based on the prevalence of epilepsy in different studies and accounting for incomplete case identification the estimated number of children and adolescents in Europe with active epilepsy is 0.9 million (prevalence 4.5,5.0 per 1000), 1.9 million in ages 20,64 years (prevalence six per 1000) and 0.6 million in ages 65 years and older (prevalence seven per 1000). Approximately 20,30% of the epilepsy population have more than one seizure per month. Based on the age-specific incidence rates in European studies, the estimated number of new cases per year amongst European children and adolescents is 130 000 (incidence rate 70 per 100 000), 96 000 in adults 20,64 years (incidence rate 30 per 100 000) and 85 000 in the elderly 65 years and older (incidence 100 per 100 000). The proportion of both new and established cases with epilepsy in the young, adults and elderly in individual countries may differ substantially from total European distribution because of differences in age structure. [source]

Epilepsy in Border Collies: Clinical Manifestation, Outcome, and Mode of Inheritance

JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 1 2010
V. Hülsmeyer
Background: There is a lack of data on idiopathic epilepsy (IE) in Border Collies (BCs) in the veterinary literature. Hypothesis: Genetic epilepsy occurs in BCs and is frequently characterized by a severe clinical course and poor response to medical treatment. Animals: Forty-nine BCs diagnosed with IE. Methods: Medical records, seizure data, treatment data, and pedigree information of affected dogs were collected. Cases were classified phenotypically as affected or not affected; mild, moderate, or severe clinical course; active epilepsy (AE) or remission; and drug resistant or not drug resistant. Results: Clinical manifestations were classified as having a moderate (33%) or severe clinical course (49%), characterized by a high prevalence of cluster seizures and status epilepticus. Survival time was significantly decreased in dogs <2 years of age at seizure onset, and in dogs with a severe clinical course. Drug resistance was apparent in 71% of 24 dogs treated with ,2 antiepileptic drugs. The epilepsy remission rate was 18%. Median age at onset was significantly higher and initial seizure frequency was significantly lower in dogs with remission compared with dogs with AE. Pedigree analyses indicated a strong genetic founder effect in the appearance of epilepsy, resembling autosomal recessive inheritance. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: The present study confirms the occurrence of genetically mediated epilepsy with a frequent severe clinical course and drug resistance in BCs. The results provide information about the long-term prognosis of IE in BCs for veterinarians and concerned owners, and may benefit breeders as well. [source]

Psychiatric comorbidity and use of psychotropic drugs in epilepsy patients

ACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2010
O. J. Henning
Henning OJ, Nakken KO. Psychiatric comorbidity and use of psychotropic drugs in epilepsy patients. Acta Neurol Scand: 2010: 122 (Suppl. 190): 18,22. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objectives,,, Although epilepsy is associated with a high rate of psychiatric comorbidity, clinicians may withhold treatment with psychotropic drugs for fear of worsening seizures. We have assessed the occurrence of psychiatric disorders in a cohort of epilepsy patients and used the results to discuss this important topic. Material and methods,,, Based on a questionnaire we made a survey of psychiatric symptoms in 167 adult patients referred to a tertial epilepsy center. The mean age was 42 years, and 72% had active epilepsy. Results,,, Forty three patients (26%) had a psychiatric disorder, and 22 patients (13%) used psychotropic drugs. The most frequent diagnoses were mood disorders and anxiety. Conclusions,,, Compared with the general population, people with epilepsy have an increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders. Patients with uncontrolled seizures are most vulnerable. These disorders appear to be under-diagnosed and under-treated, and the fear that psychotropic drugs can cause seizure exacerbation is probably overstated. [source]

The occurrence and characteristics of auras in a large epilepsy cohort

ACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2009
K. O. Nakken
Objectives,,, Despite several studies, estimates of the frequency with which auras occur in conjunction with epilepsy continue to be imprecise. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence and characteristics of auras in a large population-based epilepsy cohort. Materials and methods,,, Subjects with verified epilepsy were recruited from population-based twin registries in the USA, Denmark and Norway. Using a structured interview in which a list of auras was provided, subjects were asked about the warning symptoms preceding their epileptic attacks. Results,,, 31% of the total sample (n = 1897) and 39% of those with active epilepsy (n = 765) had experienced an aura. Six percent reported more than one type. Non-specified auras were most frequently reported (35%), followed by somatosensory (11%) and vertiginous (11%). While the majority of those reporting auras (59%) had focal epilepsies, auras of a mostly non-specific nature were experienced by 13% of those with generalized epilepsies. Conclusion,,, Auras serve an important purpose in that they may prevent seizure-related injuries and could provide an indication as to where the seizures originate. The occurrence of auras often is underestimated, especially in children and those with learning disabilities. [source]

Prevalence of epilepsy in Croatia: a population-based survey

ACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 6 2007
I. Bielen
Objectives,,, To investigate the prevalence of active epilepsy in Croatia. Material and methods,,, Patient data collected by means of questionnaires completed by primary healthcare physicians; epilepsy was previously confirmed in the patients by neurologists or neuropaediatricans. Results,,, One hundred and twenty-seven of 180 (71%) physicians provided the requested information. The total sample was 212 069 people and of these 1022 had active epilepsy. Prevalence rates (per 1000) for the following age-groups were: age 0,7: 3.5; age 8,18: 6.4; age 19,45: 5.0; age 46,65: 4.7; age >65: 4.4. The age-adjusted prevalence rates for the standard populations were 4.9/1000 (European population) and 5.0/1000 (WHO world population). Fifty-one physicians (29%) stated only the number of patients they considered as having active epilepsy but without the requested details. If their patients were also included, the estimated crude prevalence rate would be 5.5/1000. Conclusions,,, It is likely that the prevalence of active epilepsy in Croatia is between 4.8 and 5.5/1000; this is in keeping with findings from other European countries. [source]